A tight, low-scoring affair saw the Ranges edge the Cannons by three points in a winter scrap in Craigieburn. Baxter Sruk had a dominant outing for Eastern with a game-high 29 disposals (20 kicks), eight tackles, six inside 50s and kicked two goals. Sruk, who turns 17 this coming Saturday, is on the radar of the Tasmania Devils. The tidy and tough left-footer was good for Vic Metro against SA recently. Jaden Lawrence was huge in the ruck with 33 hitouts and 21 disposals, providing presence in the air and around stoppages. Ryan McConnell was strong around the ball with 21 touches, seven tackles and a snag, Harrison Chapman had an equal game-high nine tackles to go with 20 possessions and a goal. Jett Flower, grandson of Demons legend Robbie, had it 21 times with five tackles, four rebound 50s and three inside 50s. For Calder, Essendon NGA prospect Moustafa Darwish continued his strong 2026 form, racking up a team-high 26 disposals and eight tackles. Darwish has put together an excellent few months. Fellow Dons NGA talent and Port Adelaide father/son Tevita Rodan had 25 disposals, an equal game-high six inside 50s, five tackles and a goal, while Charlie Robbins had 23 disposals and seven tackles, and Jackson Watkins had 20 possessions and a goal. North Melbourne father/son prospect Sam Harris (2026 draft) was industrious with 18 touches and an equal game-high nine tackles, while Essendon father/son Koby Bewick (2027 draft) had 19 disposals.
